Berejiklian government commits $133 million to upgrade 11 more train stations
THE Berejiklian Government has committed a further $133 million to upgrade at least 11 more train stations — but Labor says the announcement is a ‘con’.
NSW
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THE Berejiklian Government has committed a further $133 million to upgrade at least 11 more train stations across the state with new lifts, ramps and footbridges.
The money, announced as part of this year’s state budget under the Transport Access Program, will help improve accessibility at stations such as North Strathfield, Kingswood, Hazelbrook and Mittagong.
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There will also be “further progression” of work on Glenbrook, Beecroft and Como stations — which were slated to be upgraded in the 2017 budget alongside Beverly Hills and Casula — and Millthorpe.
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Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the funding will go a long way towards fixing “neglected” stations.
“When we came to Government public transport had been neglected, but we have now delivered or begun work on more than 450 improvements to train stations and ferry wharves, car parks, interchanges and bike sheds,” she said.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the government had “turbocharged” the Transport Access Program.
“If you look at Labor’s record they were delivering about two projects a year. We’ve now delivered 450 projects in the last seven years and of that, 51 are providing lifts at stations,” he said.
But Mr Constance acknowledged some older stations “do take a bit of work” with consideration given to planning requirements and heritage value.
“You can’t just turn up and start building, you’ve got to do the right planning … but we’ve got the runs on the board.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said investment in the Transport Access Program was about “making life easier for people” to access public transport.
“This is a budget that puts people first, and that is what the investment in the Transport Access Program does,” he said.
Opposition leader Luke Foley said the announcement simply rehashed promises that were made 12 months ago.
“What a con. Some of the same stations announced today were announced this week last year in the lead up to the last budget and we’ve seen nothing happen at stations like Beverly Hills and Casula where promises were made of upgrades a full 12 months ago,” Mr Foley said.
He also claimed the government’s Transport Access Program has been “plagued by political partisanship” with stations strategically selected based on where votes were needed.
“The government investing first and foremost in Liberal-held seats at the expense of stations identified by independent experts is a priority,” he said.
“That’s why places like Punchbowl and Unanderra miss out time and time again — because it’s the government’s re-election that’s their priority rather than fixing stations that need it most urgently.”